Frances: Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, and More

Fact: Frances is a name often used in literature. Notably, Frances Hodgson Burnett, the author of “The Secret Garden,” shares this name.

Frances Overview

Meaning

From France, free one

Gender

Girl, Gender-neutral

Origin

Latin

Etymology

Derived from the Latin name Franciscus, meaning “from France” or “free man”

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈfrænsɪs/

Popularity

Frances remains a timeless choice, especially in English-speaking countries. In the USA, Frances ranked 404th for girls in 2023

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

7 letters

Numerology

3 (Expressive, Social, Artistic)

Name Styles

Cool, Aesthetic, Unique

Associated Traits

Classic, refined, wholesome, mature

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Frances has been borne by many notable figures, including Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first American to be canonized

Name Day

March 9th (Italy)

Frances Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Francesca, Francis, Françoise, Francine, Francisca, Franziska

Common Nicknames

Frannie, Fanny, Essie

Diminutives

Franny, Fran, Frankie

Famous People

Frances McDormand
(American Actress)
Frances Bean Cobain
(American Artist)
Frances Fisher
(British-American Actress)
Frances Conroy
(American Actress)
Frances E. Willard
(American Educator)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

Frances Houseman
("Dirty Dancing," Film)
Frances "Baby" Houseman
("Dirty Dancing," Film)
Frances Underwood
("House of Cards," TV Series)
Frances Stevens
("To Catch a Thief," Film)

Places

Frances Town
(South Australia, Australia)
Frances Lake
(Yukon, Canada)
Frances Slocum State Park
(Pennsylvania, USA)
Mount Frances
(Alaska, USA)
Frances Beach
(São Paulo, Brazil)

What Is the Meaning of Frances?

The name Frances means “free one” or “from France.” It communicates a sense of liberty and independence, suggesting a person who values freedom and individuality.

What Is the Origin of The Name Frances?

Frances is derived from the Latin name Franciscus, which means “Frenchman” or “free one.” It has been used in English-speaking countries since the Middle Ages, reflecting its deep historical and linguistic roots.

Frances Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Frances in the U.S. over the Years

United States	#4192022	#4042023
Top 3 Rankings	#81918	#91912	#91913

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Frances

Year	Name Ranking	Number of Births	Birth Rate (%)
2023	404 (+15 from 2022)	755 (+1 from 2022)	0.04316
2022	419 (-28 from 2021)	754 (-47 from 2021)	0.04205
2021	391 (+27 from 2020)	801 (+57 from 2020)	0.04471
2020	418 (+20 from 2019)	744 (+26 from 2019)	0.04209
2019	438 (+3 from 2018)	718 (-5 from 2018)	0.03913
2018	441 (-4 from 2017)	723 (-7 from 2017)	0.03888
2017	437 (+9 from 2016)	730 (+9 from 2016)	0.03864
2016	446 (+67 from 2015)	721 (+108 from 2015)	0.03724
2015	513 (+90 from 2014)	613 (+129 from 2014)	0.03142
2014	603 (+88 from 2013)	484 (+76 from 2013)	0.02474
2013	691 (+72 from 2012)	408 (+44 from 2012)	0.02117
2012	763 (+19 from 2011)	364 (+16 from 2011)	0.01877
2011	782 (-13 from 2010)	348 (-8 from 2010)	0.01796
2010	769 (+29 from 2009)	356 (+2 from 2009)	0.01816
2009	798 (-5 from 2008)	354 (-14 from 2008)	0.01748
2008	793 (+33 from 2007)	368 (+21 from 2007)	0.01767
2007	826 (-64 from 2006)	347 (-13 from 2006)	0.01639
2006	762 (-9 from 2005)	360 (+5 from 2005)	0.01722
2005	753 (-114 from 2004)	355 (-72 from 2004)	0.01749
2004	639 (-33 from 2003)	427 (-22 from 2003)	0.02116
2003	606 (+10 from 2002)	449 (+34 from 2002)	0.02238
2002	616 (-26 from 2001)	415 (-14 from 2001)	0.02101
2001	590 (-18 from 2000)	429 (-25 from 2000)	0.02166
2000	572 (-52 from 1999)	454 (-34 from 1999)	0.02275
1999	520 (-49 from 1998)	488 (-59 from 1998)	0.02507
1998	471 (+3 from 1997)	547 (+16 from 1997)	0.02822
1997	474 (-15 from 1996)	531 (-13 from 1996)	0.02781
1996	459 (-9 from 1995)	544 (-27 from 1995)	0.02837
1995	450 (-39 from 1994)	571 (-37 from 1994)	0.02972
1994	411 (-17 from 1993)	608 (-33 from 1993)	0.03119
1993	394 (-7 from 1992)	641 (-27 from 1992)	0.03251
1992	387 (-27 from 1991)	668 (-43 from 1991)	0.03332
1991	360 (-9 from 1990)	711 (-48 from 1990)	0.03497
1990	351 (-27 from 1989)	759 (-22 from 1989)	0.03695
1989	324 (-17 from 1988)	781 (-26 from 1988)	0.03920
1988	307 (-4 from 1987)	807 (+2 from 1987)	0.04196
1987	303 (+10 from 1986)	805 (+40 from 1986)	0.04295
1986	313 (-18 from 1985)	765 (-69 from 1985)	0.04145
1985	295 (-13 from 1984)	834 (-21 from 1984)	0.04517
1984	282 (-12 from 1983)	855 (-20 from 1983)	0.04741
1983	270 (+1 from 1982)	875 (-29 from 1982)	0.04889
1982	271 No change from 1981	904 (-21 from 1981)	0.04983
1981	271 (-4 from 1980)	925 (-13 from 1980)	0.05172
1980	267 No change from 1979	938 (+25 from 1979)	0.05268
1979	267 (-12 from 1978)	913 (-11 from 1978)	0.05298
1978	255 (+10 from 1977)	924 (-16 from 1977)	0.05621
1977	265 (-18 from 1976)	940 (-8 from 1976)	0.05714
1976	247 (-13 from 1975)	948 (-82 from 1975)	0.06031
1975	234 (+4 from 1974)	1030 (-38 from 1974)	0.06599
1974	238 (-21 from 1973)	1068 (-88 from 1973)	0.06819
1973	217 (-1 from 1972)	1156 (-124 from 1972)	0.07438
1972	216 (-10 from 1971)	1280 (-173 from 1971)	0.07938
1971	206 (-7 from 1970)	1453 (-175 from 1970)	0.08291
1970	199 (-4 from 1969)	1628 (-13 from 1969)	0.08887
1969	195 (-10 from 1968)	1641 (-101 from 1968)	0.09309
1968	185 (-15 from 1967)	1742 (-127 from 1967)	0.10189
1967	170 (-8 from 1966)	1869 (-257 from 1966)	0.10886
1966	162 (+1 from 1965)	2126 (-136 from 1965)	0.12109
1965	163 (-11 from 1964)	2262 (-337 from 1964)	0.12378
1964	152 (-6 from 1963)	2599 (-146 from 1963)	0.13278
1963	146 (-3 from 1962)	2745 (-257 from 1962)	0.13807
1962	143 (-8 from 1961)	3002 (-418 from 1961)	0.14811
1961	135 (-8 from 1960)	3420 (-172 from 1960)	0.16465
1960	127 (-3 from 1959)	3592 (-124 from 1959)	0.17271
1959	124 (-6 from 1958)	3716 (-129 from 1958)	0.17877
1958	118 (-5 from 1957)	3845 (-251 from 1957)	0.18613
1957	113 (-6 from 1956)	4096 (-229 from 1956)	0.19522
1956	107 (-11 from 1955)	4325 (-316 from 1955)	0.21000
1955	96 (-13 from 1954)	4641 (-512 from 1954)	0.23148
1954	83 (-11 from 1953)	5153 (-633 from 1953)	0.25884
1953	72 (-5 from 1952)	5786 (-294 from 1952)	0.29987
1952	67 (-8 from 1951)	6080 (-504 from 1951)	0.31966
1951	59 (-8 from 1950)	6584 (-390 from 1950)	0.35642
1950	51 (-2 from 1949)	6974 (-466 from 1949)	0.39658
1949	49 (-7 from 1948)	7440 (-739 from 1948)	0.42381
1948	42 (-3 from 1947)	8179 (-763 from 1947)	0.46933
1947	39 No change from 1946	8942 (+492 from 1946)	0.49189
1946	39 (-5 from 1945)	8450 (+510 from 1945)	0.52390
1945	34 (-1 from 1944)	7940 (-546 from 1944)	0.58985
1944	33 (-2 from 1943)	8486 (-962 from 1943)	0.62099
1943	31 (-1 from 1942)	9448 (-23 from 1942)	0.65821
1942	30 (+1 from 1941)	9471 (+1005 from 1941)	0.68113
1941	31 (-3 from 1940)	8466 (-156 from 1940)	0.67946
1940	28 (-2 from 1939)	8622 (+45 from 1939)	0.72985
1939	26 (-3 from 1938)	8577 (-345 from 1938)	0.75630
1938	23 (-4 from 1937)	8922 (-135 from 1937)	0.78164
1937	19 No change from 1936	9057 (+268 from 1936)	0.82198
1936	19 No change from 1935	8789 (+20 from 1935)	0.81564
1935	19 No change from 1934	8769 (-437 from 1934)	0.80689
1934	19 (-1 from 1933)	9206 (+323 from 1933)	0.85056
1933	18 (+1 from 1932)	8883 (-669 from 1932)	0.84920
1932	19 (-1 from 1931)	9552 (-166 from 1931)	0.86342
1931	18 (-2 from 1930)	9718 (-926 from 1930)	0.88048
1930	16 No change from 1929	10644 (-448 from 1929)	0.91251
1929	16 (-3 from 1928)	11092 (-1045 from 1928)	0.95823
1928	13 (-1 from 1927)	12137 (-851 from 1927)	1.01520
1927	12 (-2 from 1926)	12988 (-367 from 1926)	1.05043
1926	10 (+1 from 1925)	13355 (-470 from 1925)	1.08562
1925	11 (-1 from 1924)	13825 (-1358 from 1924)	1.09455
1924	10 No change from 1923	15183 (+302 from 1923)	1.17182
1923	10 No change from 1922	14881 (-173 from 1922)	1.18814
1922	10 (-1 from 1921)	15054 (-939 from 1921)	1.20666
1921	9 No change from 1920	15993 (+110 from 1920)	1.24973
1920	9 No change from 1919	15883 (+776 from 1919)	1.27673
1919	9 (-1 from 1918)	15107 (-1024 from 1918)	1.28610
1918	8 (+1 from 1917)	16131 (+1768 from 1917)	1.34162
1917	9 No change from 1916	14363 (+617 from 1916)	1.27820
1916	9 No change from 1915	13746 (+960 from 1915)	1.26608
1915	9 No change from 1914	12786 (+3109 from 1914)	1.24880
1914	9 No change from 1913	9677 (+1983 from 1913)	1.21475
1913	9 No change from 1912	7694 (+1014 from 1912)	1.17481
1912	9 (+1 from 1911)	6680 (+1713 from 1911)	1.13854
1911	10 (+1 from 1910)	4967 (+519 from 1910)	1.12422
1910	11 (+1 from 1909)	4448 (+668 from 1909)	1.06024
1909	12 (+2 from 1908)	3780 (+187 from 1908)	1.02691
1908	14 (+2 from 1907)	3593 (+294 from 1907)	1.01345
1907	16 (-2 from 1906)	3299 (+273 from 1906)	0.97768
1906	14 (+2 from 1905)	3026 (+139 from 1905)	0.96543
1905	16 No change from 1904	2887 (+230 from 1904)	0.93170
1904	16 (+3 from 1903)	2657 (+292 from 1903)	0.90858
1903	19 (+4 from 1902)	2365 (+39 from 1902)	0.85012
1902	23 (+2 from 1901)	2326 (+255 from 1901)	0.82974
1901	25 (+1 from 1900)	2071 (-424 from 1900)	0.81462
1900	26 (-2 from 1899)	2495 (+437 from 1899)	0.78524
1899	24 (-2 from 1898)	2058 (-321 from 1898)	0.83155
1898	22 (+5 from 1897)	2379 (+404 from 1897)	0.86779
1897	27 No change from 1896	1975 (+11 from 1896)	0.79549
1896	27 (+2 from 1895)	1964 (+131 from 1895)	0.77939
1895	29 No change from 1894	1833 (+57 from 1894)	0.74179
1894	29 (+5 from 1893)	1776 (+154 from 1893)	0.75263
1893	34 (-3 from 1892)	1622 (-48 from 1892)	0.72015
1892	31 (+3 from 1891)	1670 (+273 from 1891)	0.74251
1891	34 (-1 from 1890)	1397 (-19 from 1890)	0.71070
1890	33 (+1 from 1889)	1416 (+65 from 1889)	0.70216
1889	34 (-4 from 1888)	1351 (-101 from 1888)	0.71399
1888	30 (+4 from 1887)	1452 (+347 from 1887)	0.76645
1887	34 (+4 from 1886)	1105 (+46 from 1886)	0.71096
1886	38 (+8 from 1885)	1059 (+215 from 1885)	0.68885
1885	46 No change from 1884	844 (+55 from 1884)	0.59459
1884	46 (-1 from 1883)	789 (+79 from 1883)	0.57346
1883	45 No change from 1882	710 (+29 from 1882)	0.59137
1882	45 No change from 1881	681 (+95 from 1881)	0.58862
1881	45 (-3 from 1880)	586 (-19 from 1880)	0.59279
1880	42 First SSA data recorded	605 First SSA data recorded	0.61985

American States Popularity Rankings for Frances

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

New York (NY)

#3302021

#4052022

#4732023

Pennsylvania (PA)

#3682021

#5812022

#4082023

Texas (TX)

#6192021

#7412022

#6312023

California (CA)

#4192021

#4322022

#4562023

Illinois (IL)

#2662021

#2992022

#3062023

North Carolina (NC)

#4302021

#3222022

#2422023

Ohio (OH)

#4182021

#4722022

#4362023

Georgia (GA)

#3982021

#5002022

#3352023

Virginia (VA)

#4932021

#3812022

#3962023

New Jersey (NJ)

#5732021

#4162022

#5372023

Michigan (MI)

#3042021

#2982022

#4902023

Massachusetts (MA)

#3562021

#2202022

#2992023

Tennessee (TN)

#2802021

#5792022

#4562023

South Carolina (SC)

#4452021

#3042022

#2562023

Alabama (AL)

#1852021

#4992022

#1952023

Missouri (MO)

#3252021

#2722022

#2692023

Kentucky (KY)

#4752021

#5842022

#4442023

Indiana (IN)

#3532021

#5912022

#5982023

Florida (FL)

#9992021

#7392022

#7622023

Mississippi (MS)

#3392020

#4912021

#3262023

Maryland (MD)

#5442021

#6192022

#3902023

West Virginia (WV)

#1841985

#2651986

#2621987

Louisiana (LA)

#6062021

#3902022

#4792023

Oklahoma (OK)

#7822019

#6522022

#4922023

Arkansas (AR)

#4352020

#2682021

#3482023

Connecticut (CT)

#3622018

#4162019

#2962021

Iowa (IA)

#2892020

#2162022

#4002023

Wisconsin (WI)

#4782021

#3162022

#3692023

Minnesota (MN)

#2222021

#2192022

#2372023

Kansas (KS)

#4002021

#2732022

#5242023

Washington (WA)

#2252021

#2472022

#2572023

Colorado (CO)

#2852021

#5382022

#3122023

Arizona (AZ)

#5242021

#5682022

#9962023

New Mexico (NM)

#4632004

#4352014

#3122017

Nebraska (NE)

#4522021

#2242022

#1752023

District of Columbia (DC)

#1072021

#672022

#1902023

Oregon (OR)

#2062021

#1292022

#1692023

Maine (ME)

#1882020

#1562021

#1402022

Rhode Island (RI)

#2171969

#2032017

#1832023

North Dakota (ND)

#1771967

#2091970

#1921977

Montana (MT)

#1922014

#1832021

#2062023

South Dakota (SD)

#2191965

#2081969

#2151979

Hawaii (HI)

#2931979

#3091980

#1751984

Idaho (ID)

#4012019

#2322020

#2222021

Delaware (DE)

#1431972

#1411976

#1281979

Utah (UT)

#4752021

#4902022

#4582023

New Hampshire (NH)

#1941974

#2382015

#2352021

Vermont (VT)

#1491963

#1251964

#1161976

Wyoming (WY)

#1001957

#1561958

#1011961

Nevada (NV)

#4832014

#4752017

#5802018

Alaska (AK)

#1842004

#1372016

#1572022

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Frances a Name for Boys or Girls?

The name Frances is traditionally feminine. Over time, it has been embraced as a girl’s name due to its elegant and sophisticated sound.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Frances

Meaning: From France, free man
Origin: ItalianFrancesca
Meaning: Frenchman, free man
Origin: LatinFrancis
Françoise
Francine
Francisca
Franziska

Frances in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

Frances McDormand (Actress, born 1957): An American actress who has won multiple Academy Awards for her performances in films like "Fargo" and "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri."
Frances Bean Cobain (Artist, born 1992): An American visual artist and model, and the daughter of Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love.
Frances Fisher (Actress, born 1952): A British-American actress known for her roles in "Titanic" and "Unforgiven."
Frances Conroy (Actress, born 1953): An American actress recognized for her roles in "Six Feet Under" and "American Horror Story."
Frances E. Willard (Educator, 1839–1898): An American educator, temperance reformer, and women's suffragist.
Frances Marion (Screenwriter, 1888–1973): An American screenwriter who wrote scripts for many successful films in the early 20th century.

Felice
Meaning: Happiness
Origin: LatinFelicity
Freda
Frost
Meaning: Flourishing, prosperous, blossoming
Origin: Latin, ItalianFlorence
Felice

Sibling Names for Frances

For a Brother
For a Sister

Parents Who Like the Name Frances Also Like

I loved uncovering the charm of Frances for you. If you’re still on the hunt, consider classic names like Elizabeth, Oliver, or Anna. Here’s to finding the perfect name for your bundle of joy!

Helen Doanna

Editor in Chief, Educational Specialist, and Senior Content Creator

Expertise

Child Development Specialist, Child-care Coordinator, Family Support Specialist, Content Writer, Communications Specialist, Educational Consultant, STEAM Teacher

Education

1. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Literature and Journalism
Focus: In-depth knowledge of Literature, knowledge and skills to perceive, create literature or work in related fields; Basic knowledge of communications.

2. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Program: Bachelor’s degree in Education Faculty
Focus: Core knowledge of social sciences and humanities – the root for the development of progressive values of education, Multicultural communication in education, Contemporary education in the context of globalization, Learning in the digital technology era, Basic issues of STEAM education, Classroom Management, Special education.

3. Oregon State University, Oregan, US

Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Human Development and Family Sciences – Child Development
Focus: Different stages of development, from infancy to adulthood; Develop a strong foundation for a career in early childhood programs or classrooms; Learn strategies for supporting young children’s development in early childhood settings.

Helen is an experienced educational specialist and content creator, known for her innovative approach to children’s learning. With a background in literature and child development, she composes engaging educational content for SimpleKids.net. Her work emphasizes creativity, engagement, and simplicity, aiming to make learning enjoyable and accessible for children and their families.

Frances Name Meaning